At Osino Zongo, a community in the Fanteakwa South district of the Eastern region, a landlord has been arrested for allegedly selling his residential property to illegal miners to engage in galamsey activities.
This has sparked fear and anger amongst the residents. In a joint operation led by the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Fanteakwa South, Mercy Korang, and operatives from the National Security, the suspect, who is a middle-aged man, was arrested with three other accomplices on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
The suspects were found at the premises undertaking underground mining with washing equipment and other tools, according to reports. The team acted upon a tip-off to effect the arrest.
According to preliminary investigations, the man had sold his four-bedroom house for GH₵800,000 to the illegal miners, and were engaging in galamsey under the guise of digging a well to avoid suspicion.
The supposed well, however, was later discovered to be a deep underground pit used for gold extraction.
The residents lament that there are other several houses in the area that have been either damaged or demolished to make way for mining activities, making the nearby buildings have weakened foundations which could lead to collapse.
Madam Korang described the development as “deeply troubling,” warning that any property owner or resident found aiding galamsey operations would be prosecuted.
“This act of selling homes for illegal mining is destroying our communities from within. We will not allow such recklessness to continue,” she stated.
The suspects are currently in police custody at Osino as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey has directed all Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) to profile miners and their financiers within two weeks, ahead of a planned regional crackdown on illegal mining activities.
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